Jet2.com - The Friendly Low Fares Air-Lion

A pride of lions are set to be the mane attraction at Doncaster airport today after Jet2.com flew to their rescue.

Last month Jet2.com answered calls from the Yorkshire Wildlife Park to save the lions – affectionately known as the Pride of Yorkshire – from poor conditions in Romania. It has been a long struggle but the pride will touch down at Robin Hood Airport in Doncaster before being transferred to the park.

Their new seven-acre enclosure is a far cry from the confined spaces they were crammed into previously. Four of the adult lions were squeezed into a 15ft by 12ft concrete compound!

“A real honour to be involved in the biggest ever big cat rescue”

To aid their rescue Jet2.com chartered a plane from Romania with wildlife experts and vets free of charge to safely transport the lions home.

Jet2.com boss Philip Meeson said: “Since we offered to transport the lions and veterinary crew free of charge from Oradea Zoo to Doncaster we have dedicated a team of highly trained individuals to work around the clock to ensure this rescue mission runs to schedule.

“It's a real honour to be involved in the biggest ever big cat rescue to date and we look forward to delivering the pride to their new home at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster.”

John Minion, Yorkshire Wildlife Park Animal Director, said: “We are so grateful to everyone who has given to the appeal and made this rescue possible.”

After the long journey the pride will be keen to get their teeth into their new surroundings!